2nd phase moving forward for Fallen Timbers road plan

10/26/2010

Maumee City Council has taken action that ultimately may help motorists shopping around for a quicker way to get to a local mall.

Council voted to enter into an agreement with Mannik & Smith Group in an amount not to exceed $9,600 for the bid phase and construction assistance for the Fallen Timbers Phase 2 project.

Joseph Camp, commissioner of public service, said plans include relocating what used to be a portion of Russell Road. Essentially, the project "moves Russell Road," he said.

Also, portions of Jerome Road will be reconstructed, and "that will be a three to four-lane roadway from where the dead end of Russell Road is now to Monclova Road, and then the intersection of Monclova Road and Jerome Road and Technology Drive will be signalized," Mr. Camp said.

Right now, Technology Drive and Jerome Road end into Monclova Road, with no connection into the mall property, he said.

When the road work is done, it will benefit "everyone to the north of Monclova and to the east and to the west up to Black Road and further. It will be direct access coming to the Shops at Fallen Timbers," Mr. Camp said.

Cost estimate is $5.3 million. A portion of the cost will be covered by a $750,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant, said John Jezak, Maumee's city administrator. He said there will be a $300,000 developer contribution from Isaac Development, pursuant to a tax-increment financing agreement, and from Northwest Ohio Mall LLC, a contribution not to exceed $242,549.

Mr. Jezak said when the tax agreement was discussed several years ago, developers and council alike noted that it would pay for infrastructure at the mall and cover other city improvements required to service the mall.

Maumee council could enter into a contract for the road project Dec. 20, Mr. Camp said. Final construction is to be done by Sept. 30.